COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Two cousins, 5-year-old Apollo and 4-year-old Theo, survived after being hit by a car driven by an intoxicated driver Sunday night.
The boys were on a family bike ride when the incident happened.
“We got to the crosswalk…I thought we were safe to go… heard an oncoming vehicle coming and I couldn’t spit out the words fast enough. And they had gotten smacked right in front of me. I blacked out for a moment. Next thing I know, I was like right there next to the car just screaming ‘My god! Apollo! Theo!,” Carli Senesac, Theo’s mother, said.
Both children were hospitalized and sustained non-life threatening injuries.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Casey Marotta was identified as the driver of the vehicle that struck the children.
The documents say Marotta was under the influence and struck the boys at a speed of approximately 35 mph.
Marotta was placed under arrest for Felony Aggravated DUI, according to the affidavit.
The boys were let go from the hospital on Tuesday.
“As soon as…they… said we could go home… he [Theo] immediately wanted to go see Apollo in the next room. He just gave him the biggest hug,” Senesac said.
Wednesday, the boys received new bikes and helmets from the Coeur d’Alene Police Department.
The bikes were provided by Two Wheeler & Ski Dealer.
“Seeing how young they were, not to mention their family was there when it happened, we just felt the need to give back…They don’t have to worry about replacing any property,” Coeur d’Alene Police Officer, Emily Taylor, said.
Officer Taylor was the first officer to respond to the accident Sunday night.
The boys’ parents told NonStop Local they are thankful for the generous gifts provided by the Coeur d’Alene Police Department and Two Wheeler & Ski Dealer.
“They were all born here [in Coeur d’Alene]. And now, I think, really feel a sense of belonging in the community,” Shaun Moore, Apollo’s father, said.
